HQ Electronic Systems Center, Directorate of Joint STARS Contracts, (JS-5), Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2119

58 -- JOINT SURVEILLANCE TARGET ATTACK RADAR SYSTEM (JOINT STARS) FOLLOW- ON TEST SUPPORT (FOTS) SOL F19628-95-R-0029 POC Major Allan S. Netzer, ESC/JS-1CT, Contact, 617-377-6755; Major Michael Swankoski, Contracting Officer, ESC/JS-5, 617-377-6679. The Joint STARS Program Office has a requirement for a Follow-On Test Support (FOTS) contract to ensure a production representative test capability of the Joint STARS system exists during the March 1996 to March 2001 timeframe. The system utilizes a modified Joint STARS Boeing 707-300 series aircraft to be provided by the Air Force. The purpose of this contract will be to (1) Provide scheduled and unscheduled aircraft maintenance for Joint STARS E-8C aircraft, (2) Provide maintenance of Joint STARS Prime Mission Equipment (PME) including software necessary for test support, (3) Operate, maintain, and modify the Software Maintenance Subsystem (SWM) facilities, (4) Provide support for flights of the E-8C aircraft for aircrew proficiency, test support, system performance and functional checkout, and demonstrations, (5) Evaluation, demonstration, test, and incorporation (if desired) of possible system improvements, (6) Participation in system demonstrations and exercises, (7) Refurbish and upgrade the Joint STARS radar subsystem from pre-production to production configuration, and (8) Perform studies, analysis, and test of possible system enhancements. The Joint STARS system will be based at Melbourne Airport in Melbourne, FL to permit close proximity to Government personnel and to support on-going Joint STARS program development activities. The E-8C system is currently under development by Grumman Melbourne Systems Division. Interested firms should respond to ESC/JS-5 (Attn: Kathy McIntyre), Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2119 within 30 days of this announcement and indicate their ability to meet the following screening criteria: (a) Demonstrate capability to maintain an E-8C Joint STARS aircraft, (b) Capability to maintain aircraft at Melbourne Airport, (c) Capability to install generic and Joint STARS unique PME, accomplish/obtain PME maintenance, and operate system for on-station and deployed station demonstrations, (d) Capability to maintain, modify, and operate Joint STARS production software, (e) Experience in supporting military flight test operations, (f) Sufficient knowledge of the E-8C Joint STARS system to study, analyze, test, and recommend potential system improvements, and (g) Capability to refurbish and upgrade Joint STARS radar subsystem. Firms should indicate if they are a large or small business and if they qualify as socially or economically disadvantaged. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the program director or contracting officer, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Interested parties are invited to call Col Thomas J. Mackey at (617) 377-5106. The Ombudsman should only be contacted with issues or problems that have previously been brought to the attention of the program manager and/or the contracting officer and could not be satisfactorily resolved at that level. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a RFP, nor does its issuance restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. The Government will solicit those firms meeting the screening criteria in this synopsis. Any offeror initially judged to be unqualified, will be provided a copy of the solicitation upon request. Any offer such a firm might submit will be evaluated without prejudice. The Government anticipates the release of the RFP in 3rd Qtr 95. Scheduled contract start date is 2nd Qtr, FY96. See Numbered Note(s): 25. (0089)

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